Friday, April 7, 2017

For at least the last 15 years, I have been warning folks about the dangers of EMFs (Electro-Magnetic Fields), ELFs (Extremely Low Frequencies), WiFi and other unseen micro-wave radiation 'waves' that are all around us due to the use of electrical appliances and devices. From smart TVs to smart appliances to smart meters, these waves bombard us constantly and from every direction. Does your mattress have metal springs and coils? If you keep your WiFi on at night, and have an electric alarm clock near your bed, then you are amplifying the EMFs into your body as you sleep every night.

Whenever I see a teenager or a young adult with their smartphone stylishly tucked into their bra or pocket, I ask them if they realize they've got the equivalent of a mini-microwave against their skin. When patients have come to me with hip and lower back issues, I always inquire where they usually carry their cell phone. Without fail, the answer is always in the same pocket or place on their body.

In today's world, it is becoming increasingly harder and harder NOT to have a cell phone, and especially the higher frequency smart phones, because, not only are we tied to our families and our jobs, but also to our addiction to constant internet access.

Kirlian Device App

If you're still not convinced that we are all really absorbing these EMFs, ELFs and other WiFi signals, you can get an app for your phone that will help you see just how much of it we are immersed in daily. Called the Kirlian Device App, it shows the intensity of these signals by displaying a color and corresponding sound tone when they're nearby. Try it out by holding your phone near your WiFi modem at home, then move away and see the difference. For an even greater effect (gasp!), turn off your WiFi (it'll be ok).

I was very encouraged to see young people leading the way in spreading awareness of these dangers that are invisible yet constantly around us and am hoping that by sharing it, more and more folks will realize it, too.

Here's a great video that demonstrates just how much WiFi radiation we are swimming in while in our homes, and suggestion about how to mitigate it:

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Superfoods is the buzzword across the internet. You can’t talk about
superfoods without thinking of medicinal mushrooms such as Chaga
(inonotus obliquus). Chaga mushrooms are making news with their amazing
health benefits including treatment for cancer. Chaga has been
traditionally used for treating gastrointestinal cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Russia, Poland and most of the Baltic countries.

What are Chaga mushrooms?

Chaga doesn’t look like a typical mushroom, in fact many people might
mistake it for a knot or even a burned spot on the tree. Typically it
grows on the on the exterior of birch trees and can grow in a variety of
shapes and sizes.

Chaga grows on hardwood trees in Alaska, Canada, Japan, Korea, Russia,
the U.S. and Northern Scandinavia. Chaga is typically found on white
birch trees, however a more potent version is found on black birch trees
in Siberia.
The ORAC value of Chaga mushroom

According to testing by the USDA and Tufts University in Boston, MA.
Chaga has the highest ORAC score for any food currently known to man.
Why are ORAC scale numbers important? They are linked to the ability of a
food to neutralize free radicals. Free radicals contribute to some
cancers, degeneration, disease and inflammation.

Diabetes –Chaga has anti-hyperglycemic properties, making it a popular diabetes treatment.

DNA protection - In this study
chaga extract was used to pretreat cells for its protective benefits
and the calls were then treated with hydrogen peroxide to induce
oxidative stress. The cells pretreated with chaga showed less damage
than untreated cells.

Pain relief - Chagas ability to support blood vessels is helpful for those who deal with diabetes, neuropathy and pain.

Supports immune system – Chaga has a high amount of
Beta-D-Glucans which helps balance the body’s immune system response.
The balance chaga offers means that it gives the body an immune system
response when it needs it and slows it down when the immune system
doesn’t need the additional boost.

6 ingredients that make chaga healthy

Antioxidants - Chaga is high in melanin. Melanin has very high antioxidant levels due to the high amount of polyphenols it contains.

Beta D-Glucans - Help to modulate the immune system as well as helping to normalize blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels.

Betulin & Betulinic Acid - These therapeutic triterpenes are
being studied for their role in supporting healthy cholesterol levels,
as well as their role in fighting malignant tumors, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and viruses.

Phytosterols - There are several phytosterols in chaga mushrooms, including Lanosterol 45%, Inotodiols 25% and the remaining 30% consists of Ergosterol, Fecosterol, and several others. Tests show a direct and positive effect of these phytosterols on cancer cells.

SODs – Super oxide dismutase is an enzyme with powerful
antioxidant properties. While SODs naturally occur in human tissue, they
decline as we age, especially after the age of thirty. Chagas’s SOD
can be taken internally or topically. These enzymes also play a
critical role in protecting our body against the damaging effects of
oxidation and free radicals.

5 ways to incorporate chaga into your routine

Chaga has an earthy, slightly bitter taste, with a hint of vanilla. Many
people add chaga tea to other foods or simply add a sweetener and milk
for flavor.

Chaga skin care - Companies value the medicinal benefits of chaga
in topical applications. Due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial
and anti-oxidant properties you can find chaga in many lotions, creams,
soaps and skin scrubs.

Chaga tincture - If you don’t like the taste of chaga you can purchase (or make your own) tincture.

Chaga tea - Place a few small chaga chunks (1/4 cup) and simmer
in a covered pan with a quart of water for about 8 hours. Strain, store
in the refrigerator and enjoy with your favorite sweetener or plant
based milk. Chaga also blends well with chai spices.

Add chaga to foods - You can make chaga tea (available in tea
bags and packets) and incorporate the tea into your smoothie, juice, hot
oatmeal or pudding.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

We will be hosting a free viewing of "Symphony of the Soil" at our holistic center, Grace of Angels, located in Chester, NJ on Wednesday, April 22 at 7:00 PM.

Come and celebrate Earth Day with a movie and discussion!

From the iMDB Film Summary:Drawing
from ancient knowledge and cutting edge science, Symphony of the Soil
is an artistic exploration of the miraculous substance soil. By
understanding the elaborate relationships and mutuality between soil,
water, the atmosphere, plants and animals, we come to appreciate the
complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource. The film also
examines our human relationship with soil, the use and misuse of soil in
agriculture, deforestation and development, and the latest scientific
research on soil's key role in ameliorating the most challenging
environmental issues of our time. Filmed on four continents, featuring
esteemed scientists and working farmers and ranchers, Symphony of the
Soil is an intriguing presentation that highlights possibilities of
healthy soil creating healthy plants creating healthy humans living on a
healthy planet.

About the Year of Soils:

The 68th UN General Assembly declared 2015 the International Year of Soils (IYS)!

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations has been nominated to implement the IYS 2015, within the
framework of the Global Soil Partnership and in collaboration with
Governments and the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification.

The IYS 2015 aims to increase awareness and
understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential
ecosystem functions.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

I had met Jen Frey of Brigid's Way at this year's Mid-Atlantic Women's Herbal Conference in Kempton, PA that was held at the beginning of October. She spoke about Tree Orienting, and it just completely resonated with me. So, today I traveled all the way out to Lancaster, PA to participate in a Tree Orienting workshop that she was hosting. Tree Orienting originated as a collaboration between Damanhur, Italy and the Wisdom University in 2011. From Damanhur's website:Tree orientation
is an initiative that Damanhur has proposed since 2011. The community
participates in this project along with many friends worldwide, most of
whom are part of the Popolo Spirituale,
as part of the Global Tree Network. The purpose of Tree Orientation is
to bring the human and plant worlds closer together, as they once were. Damanhur's
Spiritual Vision gives great importance to communing with the physical
and subtle forces of nature that are represented by plants and nature
spirits. The trees are large, living antennas of our planet. On the
Summer Solstice, the trees launch a signal into the cosmos about the
health of our planet, and at the Winter Solstice, they receive a return
signal. For many years, their message has been a cry of despair because
humans are destroying nature. The community of Damanhur and the many
supporters of this initiative around the globe have made a commitment to
transform the cries of the trees into songs of joy.Tree orientation
is a huge endeavor, but a tremendously fun adventure. It is a project
that anyone can join in by using a simple technique, which involves
getting close to a tree while carrying a Selfic pendulum, and walking
around the tree as if you were embracing it.

People all around the world are participating in this practice and together, we can help strengthen the tree network while bridging the human and botanical worlds together again.

More information can be found at : http://www.globaltreenetwork.com/
It was crisp, cold, windy with a high of about 23 degrees. Long Park in Lancaster is a beautiful place to work with the trees, and it wasn't long before we had completed orienting the trees in one entire section of the park. I oriented 283 trees myself - pretty good for a novice! I purchased the device used to orient them, and intend to return with friends for another workshop in the spring. If you are interested, please join me in the Spring!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

"Author Richard Lou, who published the bestseller “Last Child in the
Woods,” wrote about what he called a “nature deficit disorder” in
relation to children, but he ultimately became overwhelmed by adults
with stories about their own disconnect.
He’s not the only one to come upon this realization. More and more
people have noticed a disconnect, which is largely credited to a world
that’s constantly surrounded by technology. While communication is
easier than ever, the quality of that communication is rapidly
decreasing, which is why many are looking to take a step back from
technology and reconnect with nature. It’s a good idea for everyone,
with numerous benefits, including the following."

Friday, October 10, 2014

THIS is an excellent documentary about the
need to care for this vital natural resource. I've watched it several
times this summer. Look for an upcoming Discussion and film viewing in
our Samhain newsletter later this month. Green Blessings!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Recently, I learned about a relatively simple way to have a raised garden that combines recycling and composting and can be a boon to folks during summer droughts or those who live in arid climates since it requires less water! From what I have read, they first appeared in Africa in areas with very little water and rather infertile soil. Villagers used whatever materials they had access to, and the idea for this sustainable gardening style was born.

Since early in September, I have been collecting used bricks with the intent of re-purposing them into a 6' diameter keyhole garden in my backyard. Based on an idea from fellow herbalist, Shelly Moore, I intend to create a separate keyhole garden for each body system, and plant the corresponding medicinal herbal allies accordingly. Shelly has done this in her yard, and I totally loved the idea because it is not only a great way to add to my teaching gardens, it also reinforces to my students that many medicinal botanicals can be beneficial to several organs or body systems at the same time - so it can help when creating a client-specific triune formula.

I probably won't get this completed before late fall this year, and will post some pictures as the project moves along. So, which body system shall I plant first? Heart/circulatory? Musculo/Skeletal? Endocrine? Nervous System? HPA? Let me know your thoughts!

Monday, August 18, 2014

From the website: Footprint Calculator: "How much land area does it take to support YOUR lifestyle? Take this quiz to find out your Ecological Footprint, discover your
biggest areas of resource consumption, and learn what you can do to
tread more lightly on the earth"

Friday, July 25, 2014

Gave up mine in the divorce and haven't missed
it in 15 years! I avoid them like the plague, especially in office
kitchenettes where I have repeatedly seen employees stand DIRECTLY in
front of the microwave while they warm their food, ...and slowly cook
their major internal organs from pelvis to sternum...

Are microwaves a benign bastion of convenience or a sinister contributor
to biological and nutritional damage? A growing percentage of people
are now heeding the advice of holistic health experts and disposing of
their microwaves due to the dangers of microwaved food. Regardless of
where you stand, humans are the only animals on the planet who destroy
the nutritional value of their food before eating it, and the use of
microwaves is no exception.

Microwaves are a source of electromagnetic energy (a form of nonionizing form of radiation)
electronically generated. When penetrating the aliments, they trigger
an inner rotation of the water molecules inside the food. This rotation
triggers a friction between the molecules and the result is a rapid
growth in temperature.

Microwaves use super-fast particles to literally radiate the contents of
water inside food and bring it to boil. Not only has microwave use been
linked to causing infertility in men, but it also denatures many of the
essential proteins in the food making them virtually indigestible. Read the whole article here: Source: www.riseearth.com/2014/07/12-facts-about-microwaves-that-should.html

Monday, June 9, 2014

The cure for cancer already exists. But it wasn't created in a lab, and
it wasn't funded by pink-ribbon products or walkathons. It was created
for free by Mother Nature, and it exists as a collection of literally
thousands of powerful anti-cancer phytonutrients found in medicinal
mushrooms. Traditional Chinese Medicine has long understood the powerful healing properties of Shiitake, Maitake, Chaga and Reishi, to name just a few. Read the links below to learn more.